Cobb County’s chief magistrate judge resigned on February 28. According to his sudden resignation notice, it was for health reasons.

Since the initial reports in the Fulton County Daily Report, it has come to light that the judge was the focus of complaints with the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission. The complaints appear focused more on demeanor than issues such as corruption. Additional information can be found in this ABA article.

I had never been before this judge, so I cannot speak to the substance of the allegations outlined in the article. As a general statement, practicing law is stressful enough for litigators, even more stressful for the lay people participating as parties and witnesses, without having to deal with an abusive judge. Judicial temperament is an important part of the being a good judge – this is probably the primary professionalism issue for Judges. When lawyers talk about judges, this is a primary point of discussion.

Regardless of his actual temperament, Attorney Defender hopes that the judge gets the type of health care he needs.